Brett Hundley Headlines UCLA's Closed Rose Bowl Scrimmage
by Nestor on Aug 27, 2011 1:24 PM PDT
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Patroclus will put up a more extensive roundup from yesterday's live scrimmage at the Rose Bowl later this weekend. For now though I wanted to pass on the key headline - it was apparently Brett Hundley, who stole the show. While Coach Rick Neuheisel remains undecided about the starting QB sport between Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut, he was apparently so impressed with Hundley's performance that he is seriously contemplating putting in special packages for the freshman QB:
"He's going to be that quarterback that has a package of offense and as he plays that package will expand, much like a [Tim] Tebow at Florida or a Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State," Neuheisel said. "We will see how much he can grasp, but today was fun to watch him out there feeling it a little bit."
Tebow and Pryor both began playing limited action as true freshmen. Pryor eventually took over as Ohio State's starter, but Tebow was used mostly as a running quarterback and in goal-line situations for his entire freshman season before taking over as starter as a sophomore.
That was Peter Yoon from ESPN LA, who reported (after listening into a Neuheisel conference call) a "15-yard touchdown run" by the freshman QB was one of the key highlights of Friday's scrimmage:
UCLA's scrimmage Friday was Hundley's first live action since the spring scrimmage, though quarterbacks weren't allowed to be hit during the game so that made it more difficult to judge just how well he performed. Still, Neuheisel came awy impressed, singling out a Hundley 15-yard touchdown run as one of the day's highlights.
"He looked good in handling the offense and handling the signals and machinations that go with it," Neuheisel said. "It wasn't error free, but certainly a guy that looks like he's going to be a big-time player at some point."
Whether we are going to see Hundley right away against Houston remains unclear. Neuheisel mentioned that he needs to make sure that Brett "feels 100 percent healthy" before he put him in a game but he is "certainly getting "close."
Hundley hasn't been short of confidence since his return to practice. In case you missed it here was a YouTubed interview of him via Jon Gold earlier in the week:
What I thought was very interesting was his mention of "Coach Tui" in that interview. Coach Tui is none other than Washington Huskies legend Marques Tuiasosopo, who under Neuheisel's tutelage guided the Huskies to their last Rose Bowl win. Neuheisel tailored that offense around Tui's explosive athleticism by putting in his version of "revolver" packages. Should be very interesting what Bruins cook up with Hundley.
GO BRUINS.
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Blowing Hundley's Redshirt
We have two Qbs, one of them is supposed to have good mobility. They should be good enough between them to carry our offense. (If they aren’t CRN won’t keep his job.) And if they’re good enough to do it this year, they should be good enough to do it next year as seniors. Is CRN then planning to spend two years of Hundley’s eligibility as a situational 3rd QB?
Both Pryor and Tebow were starting by their sophomore seasons. Were that the projection for Hundley, I can see more logic in getting him prepared with game experience. But right now he’s the 3rd string QB, and we already have a pair who provide different "looks" mobility wise. I think this is something that should take place next year, when Hundley has already redshirted, to prepare him to take over as the starter in 2013.
Brehaut’s freshman season was squandered on some meaningless snaps that didn’t end up doing him or the team any good. I don’t want the same thing to happen to our qb of the future.
I know there’s been some back and forth on this issue here on BN, but perhaps now that it will no longer be an abstract hypothetical, we can renew a debate on the pros and cons. Since I don’t think the Tebow/Pryor parallels work I’d like to hear another convincing side.
I see very little upside or logic in this plan, given our particular situation, and the downside of blowing a full year when Hundley would be our star.
I prefer red-shirting Hundley myself
However, I think there are few factors here that are in play:
1) What if Hundley is making such an impression with his athleticism that Neuheisel feels that he has to play him, particularly if he creates mismatches with his speed;
2) I was one of those who wasn’t all that happy with the way Brehaut was used in his first year. That situation was different than this one because of the change in OC. I think if Neuheisel had complete control over who was going to play QB and when, Brehaut would have been used differently.
3) None of us have any idea how Hundley has looked this Fall since he started practicing after they became closed.
All that said, I imagine if Hundley were to be used, it will only happen if he is 100 percent. I think if he is full speed and ready to go and can have discernible impact in helping us win the game, it something coaches should be considering.
Winning games
If Hundley can help us win 2 games, he’s worth playing. I just have a very hard time conceiving of a window in which a qb is not good enough to start, but is good enough to be a difference-maker in 10 snaps.
I think it depends on his ability to excel in areas our other QBs dont (conceivable with his athleticism)
while not being as effective in executing the entire offense (also conceivable given his level of experience). His package might not have enough plays in it to keep defenses honest throughout the course of the game, but could be extremely effective in goal line/short yardage situations. As long as his playing is motivated by his game changing potential, and not CRN’s attempt to drum up excitement (I doubt this is the case) I’m fine with the decision.
If we are the good or better rushing team we're supposed to be
Short yardage situations should not be a problem. Our system is designed to work for positive yardage even when the defense knows what’s coming. If it’s run well and the qb makes the right checks — something you have to think our more experienced qbs will be better at — I have a tough time foreseeing a necessity to play Hundley.
Again, if both QBs are terrible to start the season, then by all means we have to go to Hundley. But that’s a major worst case scenario.
And that's why I think this issue is difficult ..
Is his current form at practice such that he can be that kind of “difference maker”? No one here has any idea. Your concern is reasonable but I am guessing Neuheisel also knows better than anyone about the predicament he is in. So perhaps he will make a decision based on what he is seeing out at practice field that will appear to be reasonable calculated? Man, so many unknowns and x-factors heading into this season. I can never recall a UCLA off-season like this.
Agreed
No need to pull him off redshirt unless one or both QB’s get injured. I think CRN must have promised Hundley a fair opportunity to challenge for starting in order to recruit him, and given our recent history of QB’s in the offseason, that might have been a valid promise, but as of now we have two veteran QB’s who offer different looks at the same offense, best not to waste Hundley’s redshirt at this point. Besides, Hundley didn’t do himself any favors getting injured.
13-9
May I remind you, gentlemen
1. We have had terrible QB play for three years now. Neither Prince nor Brehaut has set the world on fire despite numerous chances, and Prince is injury prone. We need all the help we can get at the position this year. This is also the most critical area on the team where dramatic improvement is necessary. The difference between excellent QB play and mediocre is the difference between a 9+ win season and more of the same and a new coach.
2. Competition breeds excellence. Unless and until one QB sets himself apart I would play all three and stick with the one who moves the team the best. When one is like an Andrew Luck, head and shoulders above the rest, he can be the man. We are nowhere close to that.
3. I prefer Brehaut over Prince but Hundley just may be another Cam Newton or even better. The only way of knowing is to play him in games, not having a potential weapon like that sitting out an entire fricking season. What a waste.
4. It’s CRN’s neck. He’s the one that’s actually seen the development of these three players since he fired NC. It’s his decision all the way.
5. Is it me or does it really seem that Hundley has the intelligence, swagger and confidence, and the zeal for competition that just cannot be contained and must be unleashed? Experience is great, but as Coach used to say, talent is what makes coaches great. The kid’s personality just oozes it. It’s infectious. If Lew could have started for Coach as a freshman, after destroying the varsity in that first exhibition game, do you think he would have been redshirted?
I do not mean to try and jinx the kid with unrealistic expectations, but the potential is there, especially in the Pistol/Revolver for which he seems like the perfect hand in glove. Under these circumstances, the waste would be to redshirt Hundley and delay his development another year.
THIS ASSUMES CRN plays him more than the token touches he gave Brehaut his first year. That was bad enough. To do it to Hundley would almost be criminal.
#1 and #5 resonate most with me
In the thread about CRN’s successor should he not win this year, I believe it was ‘66 who made a point about the UCLA football culture. I have not heard or seen anyone around UCLA speak about football like Hundley. He doesn’t spout rhetoric about “slowly coming along”, “starting to understand”, “getting on the same page”, or other phrases that signal a justification for mediocrity. Mistakes or not, the kid loves to play football, is grateful for the chances he gets, but can’t wait until the next time he gets under center.
He’s yet to do a damn thing for us on the field, but I very much get a Ben Ball Warrior feel from him. Arron Afflalo of the gridiron? In terms of attitude and outlook, it might not wind up being a ridiculous comparison.
If he’s our best QB at any point this season, he should play. Period!
Repeating things doesn't make them true
1. Our QB play has been mediocre – but our Oline has been terrible in 08 & 10 – (BTW: in 09 when we had decent Oline play we went bowling … in fact, Kevin Craft looked decent when our Oline did)… also people keep repeating the line “Prince is injury prone” – do you mean he is a klutz and keeps falling down stairs? Or do you mean he’s a delicate buttercup which cannot withstand any physical impact? Either way – I disagree. Kevin Prince is a stud and a large number of his missed games were due to a cheap-shot hit resulting in a concussion or surgery to repair an old injury. I’m not saying he is Mr Indestructible but I’d bet my paycheck he could withstand more hits than most of the BN’ers. Also, I have heard tell that Running Backs and Receivers have a little to do with offense success. Laying all the blame on the QB’s is simplistic and probably will lead to a wasted discussion.
2. Competition does breed success but burning a redshirt to provide competition just doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe I am misreading this item but all I can say is “Huh?”
3. I, too, like Bre better than KP – but burning Hundley RS to see if he is a Cam Newton sounds like the act of a very poor coach who cannot evaluate talent. I really hope that CRN & CMJ are not poor coaches.
4. Agreed.
5. I agree on Hundley’s character but I would also caution that throwing someone into a competition before they are ready can severely damage their confidence. Being a 5-star QB in high school is great but you are usually playing teams with only a handful of D-1A caliber players … now in the Pac-12 you are playing 11 teams with D-1A caliber talent (and they are starting So, Ju & Sr talent). I saw Hundley in the Spring scrimmage and I hope he’s getting acclimated to the level of competition in the Pac-12 but I wouldn’t bank on it just yet.
by KnudsenRockne on Aug 27, 2011 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions
No need to redshirt Hundley
If Hundley is as good as hoped, he won’t be around for his senior year. No need to save him for that fifth year when he’ll be playing on Sundays. Let him play now if he wants!
by Arturo del Mundo on Aug 27, 2011 7:26 PM PDT reply actions
Not necessarily true at all
Very few mobile QBs seem to leave early.
Win now baby
Redshirt schmedshirt.
If Brett can help us win games now—play him now.
We have endured a decade of utter despair, apart from 13-9, and it is time to start winning and if we do it with Brett, do it.
by peggysue69 on Aug 27, 2011 8:53 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Did you see Jacory Harris' (Univ of Miami) interview on ESPN yesterday?
He was talking about his possibility of playing in their opener after all the recent allegations at Miami and his current suspension. When I see things like that interview it makes me proud to be a Bruin and that we only take talent like Brett Hundley. The way Harris talks it’s clear that the “student” part of student athlete is very much in question. I’ve never been embarrassed by a Bruin that had a microphone in front of them. I’m glad we have academic standards for enrollment even for our athletes. Brett’s YouTubed interview shows he is an intelligent young man. Can’t wait to see him develop over the next few years.
Live life to the fullest, and do it in the fast lane
Redshirt him
Coach Steve Tucker
www.football-tutorials.com
by CoachSteveTucker on Aug 28, 2011 11:45 AM PDT reply actions
Hundley is going to play -- a lot.
If CRN thinks Hundley is his best QB (and I get that feeling), he’s going to play him this year. Roll him out carefully and test him. He looks and sounds great in that Youtube clip. But, of course, we don’t see him scrimmaging.
Since CRN wants to win, I think we’re going to see Brett early and, as the season progresses, a lot. I hope it’s because he’s just great, and not because Prince and Brehaut are performing under expectations.
I agee
I am terrible at football predictions. Just awful. I never played a single down and most predictors, event best among them, are wrong much of the time.
But I will not be surprised if in either the Houston or San Jose State games we see a play or 2 where the backfield consists of Brett, Kevin and Richard; all 3 at once. CRN will do anything, and I mean anything that is entirely within the rules, to win. And don’t be surprised if there is a quick kick out of that formation.
Traditionalists are reading this thinking she’d nuts but CRN is crazier than any of us and he wants to win.
by peggysue69 on Aug 29, 2011 10:13 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
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